High school football: Preseason Top 10

High school football practices have begun in Massachusetts, with teams beginning their training camps ahead of the September start. While the stories will certainly change over the next couple of weeks, and certainly over the next four months, everyone has to start somewhere. So with that in mind, here is a look at Boston.com's preseason Top 10 teams, a precursor to the first Boston.com 100.
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Essdras M Suarez / Globe Staff

No. 10 Beverly

There's no way Beverly can replace the tandem of Brendan Flaherty (pictured) and Kenny Pierce from last season's Division 3 Super Bowl run, but the Panthers are expected to compete and have one of the better defenses in the state.
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Robert E. Klein / For the Boston Globe

No. 9 Xaverian

Xaverian is returning 12 of 22 starters from last season, including four-year starter Joe Gaziana.
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Barry Chin/Globe Staff

No. 8 Brockton

The Boxers will expect more from Aaron LeClair (not pictured) as one of the team's few experienced seniors. He accounted for 631 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns last season.
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Barry Chin/Globe Staff

No. 7 Needham

Needham's Mike Panepinto (26 touchdowns) is sure to light up the Bay State conference again. He'll have some good help with returning quarterback Ryan Charter (8 touchdown passes).
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Despite being senior laden last year, Walpole returns key players in quarterback Will Bolster (5) and Connor Moriarty, who is expected to be the team's lead running back this fall.
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John Blanding/Globe Staff

No. 4 Reading

Reading quarterback Drew Belcher, who threw 21 touchdowns and ran for another 15 in 2012, is one of the top quarterbacks in the state. The Rockets held opponents to a meager 5 points per game last season, with middle linebacker Liam Kenneally coming back to help this new defense maintain its 2012 form.
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Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff

No. 3 Natick

Wide receiver Brian Dunlap (23 touchdowns) returns, as does quarterback Troy Flutie (35 touchdowns) and wide receiver Alex Hilger to lead one of the top offenses in the state.
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Bizuayehgu Tesfaye / For The Boston Globe

No. 2 Everett

Everett quarterback Lukas Denis, right, is expected to take the helm at quarterback. Defensive back Lubern Figaro, who has multiple Division 1 scholarship offers, is expected to turn heads.
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George Rizer / For the Boston Globe

1. St. John's Prep

St. John's Prep gets a big boost on offense from Maryland commit Johnathan Thomas, but the Eagles are also lucky enough to have their offensive line intact.
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